Back to School!

Its that time of year again! If your children dread dental care both at home and at the family dentist, there are a few tricks to keep them interested in maintaining clean teeth.

Establish An Oral Health Routine

One of the best ways to encourage kids to fit in brushing and flossing after the return to school is to develop a teeth cleaning routine. Designate specific times in the morning and evening for your children to brush and floss. Make them aware that failing to brush and floss on a regular basis will leave deposits of plaque and a sticky film of bacteria and food particles on and around the teeth that can cause cavities and gingivitis. Twenty-five percent of children under the age of five already have cavities.

Oftentimes, it helps for the parent to participate in these activities with his or her children. Kids will be much more enthusiastic about oral health care if their parents are brushing and flossing right alongside them. Cleaning your teeth in the presence of your children will also reinforce proper brushing and flossing techniques. You'll be able to spot their inefficiencies and teach them how to properly clean their teeth instead of waiting for them to be told by the family dentist.

Proper Flossing Technique

Focus on showing your children the proper steps in maintaining oral care. Each evening, your children should thoroughly floss with a very long string of floss. You might even want to encourage them to use two pieces of floss, one for the bottom teeth and one for the top teeth. This way, they won't run the risk of transferring bits of food and plaque from one tooth or gum area to another. Always reinforce that they should never use the same part of the floss to clean between their teeth.

Rinsing and Brushing

After flossing, kids should clean their mouths with mouthwash or water to remove even more food particles. Rinsing after flossing also helps the teeth retain fluoride that is necessary for dental health. After rinsing, the kids should then move on to brushing. Teach them to brush all the way to where the teeth meet the gums. This should be performed in small circular motions and at a 45-degree angle.

Cleaning the Tongue

The final part of the daily oral care process is the scraping of the tongue with a tongue scraper or with their toothbrush. Don't just tell your kids to do it. Explain to them how important a tongue scraper is. It will remove bacteria on the tongue and will also help to prevent bad breath.

These guidelines have been suggested in different order from different people. In the end, all that matters is that each step is done in whatever order recommended for your child's optimal dental health. For more personal instructions for your child's oral care routine or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 281-646-8888 or request an appointment online!

National Fresh Breath Day!

August 6th is National Fresh Breath Day! Today is a day to focus on oral health and care. We all enjoy a good cup of coffee or an extra garlic-y pasta dish but our friends might not enjoy our breath afterwords. It is easy to grab a sugary after dinner mint or chew a piece of gum but there are a few things you can do daily to manage your breath odor. In honor of Fresh Breath Day, here are few tips to keep your breath smelling fresh:

1. Don't forget your vegetables!
• Eating water-rich vegetables, such as leafy greens, can help keep your breath smelling clean. This is because the high water content helps with saliva production which reduces the ability of bad smelling bacteria to form in your mouth. 
2. A clean tongue is a happy tongue!
• There are many bacteria traps in our mouths and one big one is our tongues. Gunk gets trapped by the tiny buds causing bad breath. Ask your dentist for suggestions on tongue scrappers or simply brush your tongue (especially the back) with your tooth brush. For those of us with a sensitive gag reflex, try keeping your mouth mostly closed when you brush your tongue. A closed mouth naturally engages our swallowing reflex rather than our gagging reflex.
3. Bring the essentials with you EVERYWHERE!
• Always carry around a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss (and even a tongue scraper) just in case! You never know when a friend will invite you to an Italian restaurant to split a deep dish pizza with extra garlic. Instead of masking the odor with a mint, get rid of bad breath with the right tools for the job.
4. Drink more water!
• As previously mentioned, water encourages saliva production and discourages bacteria build up. Unfortunately, many of us do not get enough water throughout the day. So kill bad breath and dehydration all at once! Keep a bottle of water at your desk or close at hand all day long. When you feel thirsty, don't just take a sip. Count to ten while you drink and when the bottle is empty fill it up again. This will help you get enough water all day long and encourage fresher breath!
5. Say "no" to tobacco!
• Just don't do it. Nothing about tobacco is good for you or your breath.
6. Spend some time with your dentist!
• Schedule regular dental cleanings and exams about every 6 months to maintain optimal dental health. If bad breath is a frequent issue, let your dentist know! It could be a serious issue like periodontal disease. Your dentist and dental hygienist can also give you other recommendations of rinses and toothpastes for your particular needs.

Have more questions and need more answers? Give us a call and make an appointment with one of our wonderful dentists and dental hygienists! (281)646-8888 Happy National Fresh Breath Day!